With the 2023-24 women's basketball season now all but over, NBN Sports decided to look back on another tough season and discuss how the Cats can turn things around next year.
Answers have been edited for clarity.
How do you think Coach McCune has performed this year?
AJ Anderson
I think he was in a lot of trouble again. It's been two seasons since Veronica Barton went on to the WNBA, but McCune's team hasn't been the same since she left. He has shown in the past that he is good. You can see that in the 2020 Big Ten regular season title, but nothing has really clicked lately. I hate to say it, but if things don't improve at all next season, his job could be in jeopardy.
maggie rose barron
He's had great seasons in the past, so I think he needs to figure out how to work with this team without its overwhelming star player. Overall, I wasn't impressed with his coaching this year.
What do you think about Caroline Lau's acting?
anderson
She showed potential for greatness. I really want to see her progress even more consistently next year and become a leader on the court. This team needs a leader, and as a point guard and rising senior, she is expected to be one of those who steps up.
Baron
She runs the courtroom as a facilitator and does a great job. I'm looking forward to seeing how she plays in the coming seasons, becoming more confident and hopefully adding some much-needed points to the team.
Mariana Bermudez
I really enjoyed watching her score a career-high 24 points against Wisconsin on February 4th. What's your favorite part? She went 4-for-4 on three-point shots! Each one was better than the last. As an up-and-coming third-year guard, he will definitely be a mainstay next season.
It has entered. Everyone has entered.
π₯ππ§ππππ© 9 out of 9 days @caroline_lau1 vs. Wisconsinπ pic.twitter.com/WdZfkcBHp9
β Northwestern Women's Basketball (@nuwbball) February 6, 2024
What do you think about Kayley Walsh?
anderson
I felt like we didn't see her reach her full potential this season. She had some good games, but she also left something to be desired, especially under the post at 6-foot-3. [inches]. She should have been dominant in and out of the game, but she wasn't.
Baron
She took some steps up from last season and played a very important role for the team both offensively and defensively. But she seemed to have some decent production off-game, so I think she could help a lot by being more consistent with her scoring.
Bermudez
Her presence on the court never went unnoticed. She became a key player, scoring in double digits in more than half of the games during the season and achieving three double-doubles.
Who is your favorite player other than Lau or Walsh?
anderson
Other people would naturally say Melanie Daly, so I choose Hailey Weaver. I love her play and her attitude and when she has the ball she is really fun to watch.
Baron
Melanie Daly had a great season after coming off an injury last year. I love her style of play and quickness and can't wait to see how she continues to get stronger next year.
Bermudez
Melanie Daly. Layups all over the place.
Maya Wahl
A true embodiment of Northwestern's grit, third-year guard Melanie Dailey was a relentless threat on both sides. Dailey totaled 398 points and 45 steals, the most on the team, and his hunger for the ball was evident. Still, numbers alone don't convey the legitimacy of the daily. Her tenacity and vitality are best seen in person.
melanie daly pic.twitter.com/SvWX4XELXE
β Northwestern Wildside (@NUWildside) November 10, 2023
What do you think about student support?
anderson
Even when the team was good in the past, people didn't come to the games, so I'm disappointed in the lack of support, but I'm not surprised. Just having someone believe in us when we didn't seem to believe in ourselves, and with the support of the students, I think this team could have won another game or two. Athletes feed off the energy of the crowd.
Baron
This year's student section was very disappointing. There seemed to be about 15 people in the stands for every game except for the Iowa game. I hope that as women's basketball in general becomes even more exciting, we can direct some of that energy toward our own players.
Bermudez
more more more! Women's basketball needs the same support it had against Iowa in every game.
Whirl
This 2023-24 season, women's college basketball fever has swept the nation, but its naivety only made fun of the Northwestern women's basketball team. The historic, sold-out game against Iowa's second-ranked Hawkeyes at Welsh Ryan Arena was an anomaly in an otherwise boring student section. The attendance for the women's game was 34,223, which pales in comparison to the estimated attendance of 96,964 for the men's game.
In a notable change, the women's team saw a significant increase in student support over the previous year, drawing more than 11,791 spectators. This is evidence of a national trend in sports, where women continue to strive for performance on par with men's teams, including at Northwestern University.
Thank you to all the fans for a great season π pic.twitter.com/rPf2rduhUs
β Northwestern Women's Basketball (@nuwbball) March 12, 2024
What are your expectations for next year? How can the team improve?
anderson
This team has many unique players. They just need to play well together. Something is not working with this team, but if they can figure out what it is and fix it by next season, we could expect to see an increase in wins from a team that is currently playing below their talent level.
Baron
I entered the season hoping that the team would shake off the tough 2022-23 season and get back on track, but there is no doubt that it will take some time. We really lacked defense this year, so I think the team needs to start from there. I don't have high expectations for next season, but I hope that experiencing tough conditions for the second year in a row will bring tension and energy to the team.
Bermudez
Continuing the consistency seen in some of their best games and maintaining a strong defensive line will help them take a big step forward. Things will definitely change with Paige Mott's departure, but I'm hoping to see players like Kayleigh Walsh and Caroline Lau step up for the team. We look forward to more conference wins!
What do you think about the team and this season as a whole?
anderson
This season was disappointing. The team wasn't able to return to the defensive roots that made the team soar until 2022. I wanted to see more of these players. I know they have it. They just have to play together. I think that's what's holding them back: cohesiveness.
Baron
Obviously not ideal. We have good players, but it seems like we are falling apart as a team and we don't see much chemistry on the court. I hope the past two seasons are the exception and not the rule because I want to see this team win again.
I'm back at the office πͺ pic.twitter.com/QEUzSdlSrg
β Northwestern Women's Basketball (@nuwbball) April 26, 2024